NEW YORK - Bon Jovi not only has the year's top tour, but the rock band has achieved a career high. The New Jersey-based act's worldwide tour grossed $259.5 million this year, topping Pollstar's annual top 20 list and setting a record for the band itself.

Click here for a photo gallery of Taylor Swift's Thursday-night show in September 2013 at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena -- the first of a three-night run. Swift ended the U.S. leg of her Red Tour with three sold-out shows there. (Photo: Larry McCormack/The Tennessean)

Taylor Swift accepts the award for favorite album - country for "Red" at the American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. Click image for a photo gallery of the AMA. (Photo: John Shearer / Invision / AP)

By Chris Talbott
Associated Press

Taylor Swift’s fans have done it again, voting her the American Music Awards artist of the year for a third time.

Swift won Sunday night’s top honor, giving her a leading four trophies. Justin Timberlake was next with three.

Swift didn’t perform, but she was a constant presence on stage and the camera alighted on her as she danced to stars like Kendrick Lamar and Luke Bryan.

MTSU student Brad Wannemacher didn’t know that he was being featured as “The X Factor” contest wowing judges in commercials leading up the series premier until he started getting phone calls from people who thought they saw him on television.

Brad Wannemacher

“It was like, ‘Oh wow,” Wannemacher says. “That’s kind of crazy. It was odd watching it back because you realize that’s you.”

Wannemacher, who wants to be a pop rock artist, uploaded a video of himself singing a Rihanna song onto YouTube. Someone (he’s not allowed to say who) from “The X Factor” saw the video and asked him to submit a video to the show’s producers. The producers were impressed enough with his performance to invite him to tryout in New Orleans for the celebrity judges. He made a trip to The Big Easy where he tried out in front of Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato, Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio.

“It took a lot of pressure off to have someone say, ‘Yes, we want you on our television show,’” he says. “But looking at Simon Cowell in the eye while you’re standing on the stage is quite intimidating, so the pressure was there.”

See how Wannemacher does during the show’s two-night debut, airing 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday night on Fox.

“I am super excited about my future,” Wannemacher says.

To see Wannemacher on “The X Factor” commercial, watch the video above. He’s at the 11-second mark.

Taylor Swift holds her eight Billboard Music Awards trophies backstage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday in Las Vegas. Swift won awards for top female artist, top Billboard 200 artist, top digital songs artist, top country artist, top Billboard 200 album and top country album for “Red,” and top country song for “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” (photo: John Shearer / Associated Press). Click the photo to see more from the Billboard Music Awards.

Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.

Swift won eight of 11 awards, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for "Red." She told the crowd: "You are the longest and best relationship I ever had."

She also had a colorful performance of her hit "22" — starting backstage and working her way to the main stage on the back of a bike with help from a dozen background dancers and a flurry of red balloons.

Justin Bieber also performed — twice — and was also a multiple winner with three awards, including top male artist, social artist and the fan-voted milestone award, beating out Swift and Bruno Mars. When accepting the latter — where boos were heard — he alluded to the tumultuous weeks he's had in the public eye.

"I'm 19 years old; I think I'm doing a pretty good job. And basically from my heart I really just want to say it should really be about the music, it should be about the craft that I'm making. This is not a gimmick," he said. "I'm an artist and I should be taken seriously and all this other bull should not be spoken."

Bieber performed with will.i.am and solo when he sang "Take You" in leather pants, a leather vest and a black shirt that had one sleeve, as blue laser lights beamed.

Miguel, too, had a show-stopping performance, though he seemed to kick a fan when he jumped over the crowd while singing his hit "Adorn." The R&B singer seemed to have landed part of his body on one woman, who walked away, and kicked another, who held her head low.

Maroon 5 and fun. were also nominated for 11 awards and walked away with one win each in pre-telecast announcements. Gotye and Rihanna had the second-most wins with four awards each.

But the awards show, airing live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on ABC, is less about the trophies — which reflect success on the Billboard charts — and more about the performances. Selena Gomez sang her seductive new hit, "Come & Get It," while Chris Brown danced around the stage to his latest single, "Fine China," though his voice began to crack during the performance. Duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis also performed their massive hit, "Thrift Shop," which won top rap song.

Kid Rock, who presented the award, sparked controversy when he told the crowd, "Let's give it up for people lip-synching under pre-recorded music."

Mars and his band kicked off the show in silky red suits that matched their silky dance moves, with bright gold disco balls hanging above them during a performance of the upbeat and old-school flavored "Treasure."

Nicki Minaj won the first award in the live telecast for top rap artist, beating out Drake, Flo Rida, Pitbull and Psy.

"I definitely did not expect this one," she said, wearing a bright red dress.

She later performed "High School" with Lil Wayne and gave the rapper a provocative lap dance onstage.

Prince, who received the icon award, closed the awards show with a melody of his jams in a turquoise and purple ensemble. He sang, dance and rocked on the guitar.

Madonna won top touring artist, dance artist and dance album for "MDNA."

"Thank you for supporting me for three decades. Without you I truly wouldn't be here," she said.

Pitbull made two appearances, one with Jennifer Lopez and another with Christina Aguilera. His hit with Aguilera, "Feel This Moment," samples A-Ha's "Take On Me" and Morten Harket came out to sing a line from the song.

Comedian-actor Tracy Morgan was the show's host, and he dressed as Psy in a bright yellow suit when the rapper-singer was onstage to present an award. They had a dance battle to Psy's new single, "Gentleman."

The outdoor show, set for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday May 20, is part of two days of festivities organized by Mayor Karl Dean’s office to celebrate the opening of the city’s new $585 million convention center. The mayor is holding his annual State of Metro address on the morning of May 20.

That’s still a lot of star power and fireworks, though. And whatever you call it, it looks like Nashville will get its due on an international stage for more than just country music. Now if only we can get Jack White on the show.

This show might finally give Swift a little exposure. (Has anyone really heard of her outside of Nashville?) She’s nominated for three awards this year, including Record of the Year for “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”

The Black Keys, though, have a shot at 5 little gramophone trophies, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year (for “El Camino”), and Best Rock Performance. Jack White, who has three nods, is up against the Keys for Album of the Year. Yes, Virginia. Nashville does rock.

The 55th Annual Grammy Awards show will air live on CBS Sunday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.

Where's Bieber?

One person that you likely won’t see on the show is Justin Bieber. Despite a financially successful year, the folks at NARAS shunned him this time around, as in zero nominations. His manager, Scooter Brown, has been outspoken in his criticism of the Grammy board, which likely didn’t win the singer any favors. Instead, Bieber will host “Saturday Night Live” on Feb. 9, the evening before the awards show, which isn’t exactly a bad consolation prize. Nashvillians can catch the the pop phenom at the Bridgestone Arena Jan. 18.

Local stars Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan are among the top nominees for the 40th annual American Music Awards. Each of the Music City singers is up for two awards at the ceremony, which takes place in Los Angeles next month.

Rihanna and Nicki Minaj are this year's leading nominees with four nods each. Christina Aguilera announced the nominations Tuesday in Los Angeles. She also said she plans to perform at the ceremony next month.

Drake, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Direction and Usher earned three bids apiece. Chris Brown, fun., Gotye, J. Cole, Katy Perry and Pitbull are each double nominees. Drake, Bieber, Maroon 5, Katy Perry and Rihanna are also in the running for artist of the year.

Nominees are selected based on broadcast airplay and online popularity.

Fans can vote online for their favorites in all 20 categories. The American Music Awards will be presented Nov. 18 at Nokia Theatre and broadcast live on ABC.